Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-10


The Germans advanced. The firing had
decreased on the French side; all at once
it ceased completely. Papa Pierre had no
more cartridges left.
He opened his door, entered his cabin,
threw a glance on the likeness of his
granddaughter, then on wooden cruel
fix and awaited the enemy.
One by one the Germans climbed over
the barricade.
sAh! there be is, the old devil" exclaim
ed six foot corporal; Il was sure of see
ing him firing at u.s."
That corporal, Hermann by name, had
been q workman in the village of Chaille
for years, and he knew every inhabitant
intimately.
colonel, pushing his way through his
soldiers, said to Papa Pierre:
'Show your hands, man."
The old man showed his hands. They
were black with powder.
''KilI him." yelled the officer.
Hermann thrust his bayonet in the
breast of the old man. A moment Papa
Pierre staggered on his legs, then fell
face downward.
The brave patriot. the valiant soldier
was dead.
"Quick- bring some straw!' cried the
officer. Let Us burn that village as we
did Bazeille. That will teach lesson to
those rascals of Frenchmen."
III.
Hermann had not left the house; he
| lighted a candle and descended into the
| cellar.
| All! ha! He was to get good drink OF
Papa Pierre's wine. The old scoundrel;
so it was he who had resisted his COM
rades so long and killed not few OF
! them. He had no regret for having as
sassinated a defenseless enemy, the man
who protected his home. Had he not
refused him the hand of his grand
daughter and promised it to Francois, a
soldier in the Third zouaves? In regard
TO him Hermann had joined the German
army-as he was in duty bound to do,
being a German-and he had always
wished for thing, which was to return
ia the village where he had found hospl-
tality and work, when he was in need of
both, to settle his account with Papa
Pierre, the vine dresser.
And his wish had been granted.
He was in the middle of his joyful re-
Elections when he heard somebody call
ing, "Hermann, Hermann!" He recog
nized the voice of Jacqueline, who, re-
gaining her senses, had refused to follow
the captain and his men, and had return
| ed IN search of her grandfather from the
| top of the ladder conducting 20 the
cellar. She was looking inside, and she
saw the assassin corporal, whom she knew
well.
"Eermann. in the name of God, did you
see my grandfather
"Wen, yes, did. Now, will you be my
wife?" asked he, drinking from bottle
that he had taken in the cellar.
"Oh, Hermann, tell me where he is"
"Where he is? My dear and handsome
Frenchwoman, if they have not changed
his resting place he is there On the floor
near the table, where I stretched him with
my bayonet."
He tried to climb up the ladder loaded
with bottles.
ooh miserable wretchr' exclaimed
Jacqueline.
Quicker thar the wind, at the moment
when the head of the German appeared at
the level of the floor, she shook him by
his long beard and threw him back in the
cellar. Then she shut the heavy trap
door, put across the iron bar that was
used to fasten it and went out.
"Who is that womanP" said the colonel,
ARREST her and let Us CO."
The incendy began. From the four
corners of the village the flames assembled
towards the heavens.
When they were about 200 yards from
the village they stopped, first sergeant
read the roll call.
All answered their names but one-Her-
! mann!
"Where is that bruit?" asked an officer.
Many answered that they had seen him
in the young girls home.
"Bring her here" commanded the
colonel.
"When Jacqueline stood before that
officer ne said to her IL French:
s'Do you knew where is a corporal who
remained in your house?"
"Ten volunteers here! Tie that girl and
load your muskets."
The muskets were loaded.
| stAim!' ordered the officer.
s'WiIl you speak now, Frenchwoman?
Jacqueline threw glance at the village
on fire. The cabin of her dear and be-
loved grandfather was heap of ashes
ayes now | will answer you. Your
brigand of corporal is in grandfather's
cellar in which I have locked him up"
"Firer
And Jacqueline fell as her grandfather
did, face downward.
But she had avenged him.
May God grant me to live long enough
to avenge her.
Sarcastic MoDgolian.
| Christian Advocate.
A Chinaman applied for the position
of cook in asfamily in one of our West
ern cities. The Lady of the house and
most of the family were members of a